Happy Holidays from Our Family to Yours

Happy Holidays Dear Family and Friends,

This year our family has truly learned to appreciate time with one another.  We have spent the majority of the year apart, so our time together is quite precious!  We’ve made some incredible memories this year in our time together and are looking forward to squeezing in a few more before the New Year. 

Mason spent the first five and a half months this year down at Barksdale AFB, LA attending Weapons School.  There he worked harder than I’ve ever seen him work in his Air Force career, and it all paid off when he graduated in June and was awarded Outstanding Graduate.  We had a wonderful time together out in Las Vegas for his graduation, and enjoyed some much needed couple time after such a long time apart.  He switched squadrons when he returned and is now the Weapons and Tactics Flight Commander in the 69^th Bomb Squadron.  His job keeps him very busy, and I like to say the coveted patch came with a secret frequent flyer card since he’s traveled to Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, and South Dakota several times each since he’s been home.

Ellen held down the home front while Mason was gone, and kept busy with Theo and Woodrow, but also stays busy being active with functions on base.  She was the social coordinator when we were in the 23^rd Bomb Squadron, and now she’s co-social coordinator and a key spouse in the 69^th Spouse Club.  She is also active as the 1^st Vice-President of the Minot Officers’ Spouses’ Club.  In the Fall she was hired as a Contractor for K12 and has been teaching 9^th-12^th grade English classes online ever since, and is really enjoying the experience. 

Theo turned three this year, and decided to share his love of talking with people outside the family.  He talks and talks and talks about anything and everything, and we’re constantly amazed at the vocabulary words he’s coming up with.  This year Theo is participating in a preschool co-op that my friends and I started and he loves it so much.  He likes talking about school and all the projects they get to do each week.  He recently started swimming lessons and gymnastics classes which he also enjoys…although I’m thinking sports might not be his forte.  He loves to look at books, do art projects, and use his imagination.  Theo likes to play trains, build with blocks, play with his little brother, and help cook in the kitchen.  

Woodrow may be the little brother, but he spends his days keeping up with Theo.  This year he turned one and he is always running to keep up with all the activities and the hustle and bustle of his big brother.  He loves playing with “things that go;” cars, trucks, fire engines, and the boy loves dogs!  His vocabulary is expanding and his physical abilities keep us on our toes.  He climbs the furniture, can open all the doors in our house, and fits in teeny tiny spaces.  He definitely lets you know when he’s not happy, but most of the time he is smiling and giving these trouble-maker looks.  He’s an incredible blessing to our family. 

Despite our time apart, we have been taking advantage of traveling the country.  Ellen and the kids went back to Illinois for two months while Mason was away, and the kids adored being near grandparents, aunts and uncles.  In September, we took a three week driving vacation through North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, and every National Park we could find along the way.  The United States is so incredible, and we’re so thankful that we had the opportunity for this trip.  In November, Ellen and the kids also took the opportunity to tag along on one of Mason’s work trips to sunny Florida.  To finish the year off we’ll be heading back to Illinois and Tennessee to spend time with family.     

We hope that all our family and friends have a happy and healthy New Year!  We put our photos from the trip West on Facebook and post new adventures on http://ellenmason.blogspot.com.   

Love,

Mason, Ellen, Theodore, and Woodrow